Moving Cost Estimator

Guide: how to use this moving cost estimator

What it does

This estimator gives you a non-binding ballpark for your move before you start collecting mover quotes — so you can budget and tell whether the bids you get are reasonable. Interstate moves genuinely swing from about $1,800 to $13,900 depending on how much you own, how far you're going, and when you move, so the tool always shows a low–mid–high range, never a single firm price. It maps your home size to an estimated shipment weight (the figure interstate movers actually price on), picks a local hourly or long-distance weight×distance model based on your mileage, then layers in packing, a peak-season surcharge, and optional storage. Everything is calculated privately in your browser, free.

How to use it

1. Pick your home size — this sets the estimated shipment weight.
2. Enter the move distance in miles. Under 100 = local hourly; 100+ = long-distance.
3. Optionally add a move date (only the month matters — May–Sep triggers the peak surcharge).
4. Choose your packing level — the single most controllable line in the budget.
5. Add storage months if you'll need storage-in-transit, then read the range and the service breakdown.

Worked example

A 2-bedroom home (estimated ~6,000 lbs) moving 1,000 miles, self-pack, no storage, with a July move date (peak season):

1. 1,000 miles ≥ 100 → long-distance (weight × distance) model.
2. Weight band for 1,000 miles = $0.62/lb. Mid linehaul = 6,000 × $0.62 = $3,720.
3. Low uses 4,800 lbs × $0.55 = $2,640; High uses 7,200 lbs × $0.95 = $6,840.
4. Packing (self) = $0.
5. July is peak → surcharge on the base: mid 15% of $3,720 = $558 (low 10%, high 25%).
6. Totals (rounded to $50): ~$2,900 low / ~$4,300 mid / ~$8,550 high.

So you'd budget roughly $2,900–$8,550, most likely ~$4,300, then request binding quotes to confirm.

The formula

weight (lbs) by home size — midpoint, ±20% for low/high:
  studio 2500 · 1BR 3500 · 2BR 6000 · 3BR 9000 · 4+BR 12000

if distance < 100  -> LOCAL (hourly)
  base = crew_size × hours × $50..$150/mover  +  $150 truck fee
else               -> LONG-DISTANCE (weight × distance)
  rate/lb tiers: ≤500 .55 · 501-1000 .62 · 1001-2000 .72
                 2001-3000 .85 · >3000 .95
  base (linehaul) = weight × rate/lb   (Labor 55% / Transport 45%)

packing  = self $0 · fragile +8% of base (min $250)
                   · full +18% of base (min $500, cap $2500)
surcharge = (May–Sep) 10%/15%/25% × (base + packing)
storage   = months × (weight/1000) × $50
TOTAL     = base + packing + surcharge + storage
LOW: weight×0.80, low rates, 10% · MID: midpoints, 15%
HIGH: weight×1.20, high rates, 25% · round outputs to $50

Rates are 2025–2026 US averages. Local crew/hours scale with home size (studio 2 movers/4 hrs … 4BR 4 movers/10 hrs). The per-pound rate falls over distance because per-mile cost drops on longer hauls. The mid estimate uses the distance-appropriate per-pound tier; the low and high estimates use the floor ($0.55) and ceiling ($0.95) of the per-pound band to bracket carrier and route variation.

Accuracy & disclaimers

• This is a non-binding budgeting ballpark, not a quote. Real carrier quotes depend on the exact weight (weighed at a certified scale), specific origin/destination, access (stairs, long carries, shuttle), specialty items (pianos, safes), and current fuel surcharges.
• Weight is estimated from home size using industry room-averages (~1,000–1,500 lbs/room). A heavily vs. lightly furnished home of the same bedroom count can differ ±20% or more — which is why the tool shows a range, not a point.
• Per-pound and per-mile rates are US averages and vary by carrier, route popularity, and demand. Rural origins/destinations and one-way truck imbalance can push rates above the high estimate.
• The peak-season surcharge (May–Sep, ~10–25%) is modeled as a flat band. Some carriers also surcharge weekends and month-end/start, which this tool does not separate out.
• Local (<100 mi) moves are priced hourly and can run over if the job takes longer than the typical crew-hours assumed here; the high estimate buffers for this, but big overruns are possible.
• Binding vs. non-binding: always request a binding (or "not-to-exceed") estimate from a licensed mover — check the USDOT/FMCSA number — before committing. This tool's purpose is to tell you whether such quotes are in a reasonable range.

Common mistakes this tool prevents

• Charging a single firm price instead of a range — moving costs swing ±30%+, and a too-precise number gives false confidence.
• Multiplying distance by a flat $/mile across all distances — real per-mile cost drops on longer hauls, so the tool uses tiered $/lb.
• Double-counting labor and truck on long-distance moves — in interstate pricing they're bundled into one weight×distance linehaul charge. Only local moves bill truck fee + hourly labor separately.
• Applying the peak surcharge to the wrong base — it applies to (base + packing), not the grand total, and after packing is added.
• Pricing an interstate move on "rooms" instead of pounds — the tool maps home size to weight first.
• Treating a blank move date as peak (or hiding an off-peak default) — blank applies 0% and says so.

How to embed this tool on your website

It's free and takes one paste — no account or coding needed. Grab the ready-made iframe snippet in the Put this calculator on your site section below and drop it onto any page. Embedded tools stay fully interactive and never ask your visitors to sign in.

Frequently asked questions

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